Out of Hibernation!

Isabelle is getting so big, tell me this looks like a little girl, and in no way a baby anymore! Wow, I guess it's time to have another baby then right? I felt my little nugget wiggle inside me for the first time last night. It's such an exhilarating feeling and I am so excited to know it's alive and kicking-literally! I "think" I'm out of the yucky trimester, but I'm sure by saying that, I'm going to start to get nauseated after I post this...

Here's a top 10 of what's been going on with us, what's been going on with you?
(aka comments!)

1. Amy survived her pregnancy thus far, 19 weeks, and the vomitting is starting to cease, hallelujah! The belly is definitely starting to pop out!

2. Isabelle tried to get potty-trained, but then Mommy got too sick to continue it, we will start again soon...promise!

3. Aaron got hired by Primary Children's ICU to start as a full-time RN on June 2nd, another big HALLELUJAH!

4. Our Rodeo now has 3 cracks in the windshield, a bent antenna, a broken front grill, one headlight burnt out, and a broken gas gage, can anyone sense we want to upgrade???

5. We have now owned our own home for one year, we did it!

6. We successfully set up our trampoline in our backyard that I bought on Black Friday back in November. Love it!

7. Amy's violin studio pulled off some great solo recitals in March, always a big event, and big success this year!

8. Amy and Isabelle flew to Pennsylvania for a week to visit some good friends and strolled the streets of New York City for the very first time, hopefully not the last!

9. Aaron scored amazingly on his NCLEX prep test all while battling a nasty cold, glad he's feeling better now!

10. We have our "anatomic survey" ultrasound scheduled for May 5th, Boy or Girl? What's your vote?


The weather is getting warmer, the tulips in my yard make me smile, things are looking up, we couldn't be more grateful!

I surrender!

No Pictures in this post because I don't know where our camera is and I don't think I've taken pictures in the last few months anyway, maybe for Christmas, but we're way past that to be curious right?

I've been neglecting our blog for a few reasons I won't bore you with. The bottom line is, I'll stop. I'll get back into it now that the gruesome days of awful winter are starting to diminish. Frankly there's just nothing amusing about "what we do in the winter time" when it's really very dull. So there you go, ok, I'll change the subject...

Spring is around the corner! It's almost the 1-year anniversary of our home purchase! I cannot believe we've been hear for almost a year. Grudging through the last few weeks has reminded me why I got so house-hungry last year, living in a condo with no yard with a toddler was difficult! I'm so grateful to have snagged our home when we did!

We are excited for the warmer weeks ahead-Izzy is getting a lot stronger and more independent (always a good thing!) on her trike, we love taking walks in our neighborhood, and visiting the nearby playground on the weekends is a fun adventure!


One more question for all of you, does this picture make me look fat?

Baby Norton is Due September 16th!!!

quick catch-up!!!

Here's a "melting pot" of Norton News, enjoy!

Our little girl is learning how to clean....yeahh!!! You go girl! She actually lifted, carried and placed the kitchen chair here so she could reach up and clean the sink, I did not set this up, I swear!
A fun playdate with McKenna. McKenna is 3 months older than Izzy. They absolutely loved singing, dancing, and doll-caring together. McKenna is fully potty-trained (and also #3 in her family). I need to get going past the introductory phase of potty-training, advice?
Thanks to my Aunt Marnae & Uncle Bill, we enjoyed a date night with them court-side for a Jazz game. Complete with "on the house" pre-dinner! Thanks!

In the midst of his hardest Nursing school semester, Aaron found solace with a few escapes to some cold lakes & rivers for a few hours of fishing. After eight years, he only has one more semester left. We are counting down the days, literally!!! Izzy and I made the most of the first snowfall the first week of November and made a handsome snowman she gave lots of kisses & hugs to. Sadly, he was melted by that same afternoon.

I now realized I never posted anything for Halloween. Here's a family photo, complete with the "family cat" on the left that Izzy gave a hug and a kiss to every night before bed. We had a lot of fun trick-or-treating in our first neighborhood, and answering the door to our first trick-or-treaters on our own porch. We love being homeowners!

Isabelle helped Daddy carry in a very large pumpkin to carve, she loved sticking her fingers in all the goo inside!

Now, as far as owning a home in Utah and shoveling snow off the driveway a dozen times this week already, not such a fan!

Happy Christmas everyone! We hope Santa finds you and this post finds you happy and well!!!

p.s. we love blog comments, go ahead, leave one!

I'm sold!

BLACK FRIDAY!!!! Black Friday shoppers are described as the "crazies" the deal-hunters and the overly-anxious-for-the-holidays. My sister Liz and I joined forces with them this year. Here is our story...(cue the law & order duh duh duh)

I haven't had that kind of a rush in a long time! Luckily no-one died or lost their baby like that one walmart I heard about on the news, which is awful! Anyway, the night went as follows. Liz picked me up on that chilly morning at 4:30am. I had my little sister Melissa sleep at my house that night since Aaron worked a graveyard 'til 6:30am. That wasn't going to stop me from becoming "one of them." We left with our ads in hand but one big problem. What were we shopping for and why were we doing it at 4:30am? My sister had the best answer for this: "every morning I wake up do the same thing all year, either go to work or take care of the kids, this is one morning to do something different!!!" And so we drove on the wet roads to the Murray Super Walmart and we were SHOCKED that the parking lot was full. Then we were so confused because there wasn't anyone outside in line. So we went parking in a neighboring store lot and walked inside and then another weird occurance, no one was moving in the store, they were all just standing in the aisles, we were so confused. So we started to make our way to to the back of the store and over the intercom we hear this "ok shoppers!" and everyone went nuts grabbing the items in the aisles they were standing next to. Turns out Walmart was open all night but shoppers couldn't take the black-friday deals until 5am and we got there about 4:50am. So Liz and I panicked as we had no clue where to go (we really didn't have an idea of what we wanted to buy, we just wanted to push and shove and get on tv for it, and maybe buy a few things in the meantime) so we scrambled around and started grabbing things everyone else was, not really paying attention to what they were, it's crazy I tell you. So we spent almost an hour there and then checked out with some goodies and decided to hit target too. so we went to ft. union target and again, parking lot full, but I guess they opened at 6 because as we got there, they were just barely letting the-wrapped-around-the-store-line inside. So we swerved into a parking stall and squeezed in line. After we got in the store I was running to the electronics (to buy what-I don't know) and I got in trouble for running which was one of our goals (hehe) so I snagged an office dvd that was a black friday deal for $13 which I was soooo proud of, and then shopped some other good deals they had, I lost my sister in the crowd but found her later (it was so hard not to have a cell phone!!!!) and we checked out. after checking out I thought my office dvd seemed more $$ that I thought it was supposed to be, so I checked my bag and I actually had picked up the wrong season of the office that WASN'T on sale and was normally $40 so I was pissed!!! So we went back to the return desk and I returned it...I ain't paying $40 for that when I have it on TIVO!! Then after returning it, we saw a channel 2 news camera interviewing someone and we got behind them and were all annoying in the camera and that finished our last goal so we felt like champions. We pushed, shoved, yelled, got yelled at, and got on tv...and shopped while we were at it. WHAT A BLAST! we are totally hooked and doing it next year! Join me if you want, but watch out!

Happy 7th anniversary my love...

WARNING!

Yes it's going to be cheesy, so go ahead and read on,

but realize I warned you, or dissapear, go on, be gone!

'Tis the eve of our 7th and all through our place, not a creature was stirring, not even Izzy Grace! The toys are cleaned up, the dishes are done, I think back seven years-and I've learned a ton! I love my Aar-Bear, I love him so much. He's sensitive in the morning, even the lightest touch. He loves to eat lots, lots and lots and lots-as if it's his last meal-and ends up regretting the lots. Holding pinkees is our thing, and getting the fish hand is the worst. When we drive it's back and forth, wrong turn here, no west, not north! He's determined to get me once, just once and for all, with that big "no idea" surprise, since I discover 'em big and small. I can't believe I snagged the bestest friend around, and get to share my life with him and enjoy our love abound!
Love you my prince!

2008

2004

2001

First Violin Lesson...

For those of you that know the Suzuki Method know this is a scary sight-a 2 year old holding a violin. I caved and let Izzy try her hand at the box violin for her very first violin lesson. I will say she has learned how to master the final bow at the end. Enjoy this minute of fear for what's to come in the future!

Happy as a Hippo

As my brother says in every email/letter he's ever written...a picture is worth a thousand words...Isabelle's face says it all. What can be better than to be in the arms of two very loving Grandma's at the same time? With Grandma Norton far away, this picture is priceless and won't be repeated very often. We love Grandma's!!!!!!!!

October get-away!

Isabelle and I took a trip to California last week (in case you missed my gloating prior posts). We were a caboose to a family vacation-a family of which I've grown to love over the last few years. Of their 9 children, 4 of them are my violin students, and they've cared for Isabelle twice a week (sometimes more) every week since she was 7 months old-so Isabelle has grown fond of them as well! Their mother, Christine, was nice enough to let Isabelle and I come with them to southern california. We had a great time. The 4-row suburban had every seat belt occupied, and we watched way too many DVD's to keep track of. We got our share of In-N-Out burgers, Newport Beach, Sea World, and a very very nice home to stay at-compliments of Christine's oldest "empty nest" brother. Here a few photos from our adventure. Oh ya...and in case you're wondering about Aaron-he had a week off of parenting. He took an overnight fishing trip to Strawberry, rented 5 DVD's of his own, caught up on studying, prepared for his mid-terms, and probably lost some weight from the lack of home-made food. He was so sweet and either kept the house clean the whole time we were gone, or cleaned before we got home-it looked amazing, AND he did the weekly grocery shopping while I was gone, and the laundry, he is seriously the perfect husband!
Here's the whole gang: (L to R) Me, Jacob (1/4 students), Andrew, Eliza (2/4 students), Sarah (3/4 students), Christine, Steve, Isabelle, Amelia (4/4 students), James, and Ben. Isabelle can name them all-including their 2 children that weren't able to come!

Isabelle chatting up a storm on Newport Beach, she had her inital fear of the ocean, but soon enough I couldn't contain her from it. She kept saying "Big One!" as the waves crawled towards her on the sand.

Trying to get Isabelle to look at the camera during the Sea Lion show at Sea World. They had a cute Halloween themed show with the sea lion dancing to "thriller." That blue hooded wheelchair behind me didn't make the best window to watch the show!!!!!!!!!!

Can't get much better than this, we missed you Daddy!

Swimming at the hotel de' Cook in the salt water hottub & pool...so nice!

chicken soup for the soul

There's something amazing that happens to me with a little salty ocean water, smooth sand under my feet, and the california sun above...throw in a burger from in-n-out, and I've had a great day!

to be continued....

Fall Fotos & Features

Ok I'm back...with a lengthy blog...



Last week we said bon voyage to some of our best friends -the Dalton Family-(ok mainly me saying good-bye to amazing Annie). Their son James and Isabelle (9 months apart) are the bestest of friends, and Isabelle always shouts for James every time she sees a car resembling their subaru or drives past their own house. She talks about baby Andrew a ton as well-always saying his name like a question-baby Andrew? As if to suggest we should go visit them-and that we will! They moved to Pennsylvania for a great job opportunity for Jess and we are already planning our vacation to visit them as soon as we can-we love you Daltons! Of course I cried like a baby driving away from seeing them for the last time-wahh! I keep having mommy moments that I want to tell Annie about-she's always willing to listen to me with all my crazy questions and complaints-an indication of a real friend!

I did a surprise GNO for Annie to say good-bye, it was such a blast, I even made her blind fold herself as to not give the surprise away-I'm such a nerd!
yes, the arranged marriage is already being discussed...

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These are a few of our family pictures we had done in August-they are adorable and Isabelle was a champ through it all. We got some precious shots of our ever-growing toddler. Her cute little bob makes her look so old and so non-baby! I can't believe how big she is, as every Mom says, but it's so true! We are meeting with our photographer again this week to do one more attempt at getting a good family photo with a squirmy, squealy toddler, wish us luck!

Back to Blogging...

I haven't blogged in a few weeks. I guess I know what they mean now when they say a "blogging rut." I've attempted, saved drafts, written-cut & pasted postings, but then never published them the last few weeks. We've been getting into the groove of our new schedules-morning & afternoon violin students, Aaron's school schedule & weekend work hours, and of course Isabelle ever-changing needs.

General Conference was nice & lazy for Isabelle and I. We stayed in our pj's for 2 days straight while Aaron had to work the whole weekend. I was able to TIVO most of conference and get it all in during her naps-what would I do w/o my TIVO?

Looking ahead to October...this week is "Fall Break" for my studio as well as Aaron's classes. Back in May if you've followed my blog I had a week where Aaron took Isabelle to Oregon and I had "me time." I'm returning the favor now and Isabelle and I are going away this week to give Aaron some "man time" without us. Hopefully he can get some much needed R & R he needs to finish out this very hard semester of school. As for Isabelle and I, we are going on an adventure with 7 children, their parents, and a very very packed suburban. We are excited to pay Shamu a visit! We'll be sure to blog when we return (if we survive!!!).



Oh yeah and we can't wait for Halloween-I've already baked 4+ dozen batches of sugar cookies-cut out into pumpkins, cats, and ghosts, pumpkin bars, soups galore...we love Halloween!

Isabelle videos

Ok I originally intended on posting several videos I just taped of Isabelle, and maybe I will get to that later this week, but for now, enjoy "Wheels on the Bus!"

"Less than a year"

Let me just brag about my wonderful husband for a moment. I am so proud of what he has accomplished with school. He started college in 2000 with an eye on the health-care field and that was it. We were dating and he had just moved to Utah and jumped right into school. With school credits from the BYU extension center, Salt Lake Community College, and the U of U-he finished his general education probably 5 years later. Then it was down to "what do I do?" He looked into occupational therapy, radiology, health education, pretty much everything under the bachelor-roof except nursing. After a few semesters in a few different areas, nothing clicked, but then nursing came into play. He knew the options around the Wasatch front were slim-pickings and with his jobs always in the way of any volunteer experience for applying, he knew it would be a far reach. So he took that far reach and applied for the SLCC Nursing program-didn't happen. Then it was onto a program sponsored by his job with IHC-didn't happen. Three times' a charm I guess... I still can remember the day he and I read his acceptance letter to the very competitive Nursing program at the U of U. We have never hugged tighter or yelled louder. It was such a great feeling!!!! Now he's nearing the end of the tunnel, ending with Graduation in 2009 with his Bachelors in Nursing. I am so proud of him for not giving up when many doors were closed along the way. I can't wait for what's in store next year!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, and did I mention that somehow in the middle of all this he became the craziest feather-wearing-warrior-Ute-Fan published in Urban Meyer's "Urban Legend" book? He's the fan that the U "loves to hate!"

"DADDY BIRR-DAY!"

Hi everyone! Aaron's birthday came and went last week-along with school and Labor Day weekend so I'm now finally blogging it. We didn't get the classiest photos for it, but we did document it. In July, Isabelle wasn't very interested in candles when her 2nd birthday came and went. But as you can see from the expression on her face in this birthday photo, she couldn't contain her excitement over Daddy's bonfire of candles-I insisted on the correct number of candles!!!!! Aaron had a good birthday-although he was in class for most of it. I gave him a new fly-box for all his little flies he catches fish with-then he tested it out the next day on the Weber River with my brother Dave. He also got to spend some time with Adam the week prior when he visited from Oregon. As Isabelle says: "Happy Birr-dayyyyy!!!!" We love you Aaron!




Isabelle "in action" finishing her "BIRRR-DAYYYYYYYYYYYY" exclamation!

I guess this is a really-big-deal fish that Aaron caught. For more on his fishing adventures, visit his fish blog- http://www.troutunlimited.blogspot.com/

awwww how cute, the twinners!

Gazebo Recital 2008

Tonight was my 8th annual Gazebo Recital for my violin students. I had 29 students participate and about 6 or 7 that couldn't come this year. This recital is always so rewarding, but always a lot of work trying to prepare the students between all their summer commitments, camps, vacations, and un-structured schedules. Even with all of their other things though, I felt good about their preparation and it's a fun recital with mostly fiddle tunes and a few Suzuki pieces mixed in here and there. We always have the families bring a big pot-luck dinner and this year I also gave them practice-point-prizes for summer practicing! Now my work schedule goes back to teaching early morning before kids go to school (7am!!), and late afternoons after school. These students work very hard for these recitals and it pays off!! I'm very lucky to have such awesome students and I look forward to this event all year! Bring on 2009!

Why does summer have to end?

I can't believe summer is almost over. This has been one of the most fun summers for Aaron and I for lots of reasons-and if you want to be bored with the "many blessings" list, read on:
1. I'm not in school, always so grateful for that
2. Aaron is IN nursing school, not waiting for a response, or un-sure of his pre-req's, he's IN it!
3. He's almost done, next summer should be even sweeter!
4. Isabelle is a happy, healthy 2 year old, and has kept this summer really busy, but really fun!
5. We are in a home of our own, such a dream come true.
6. We've had a few road trips together-Island Park, Jackson Hole, Aaron took a fishing trip with Adam, and holidays as well to celebrate.
7. We had 3 of Aaron's brothers come to visit at different times this summer: Adam, James & family, and Eric & family!
8. Having a backyard for a 2 year old is so sweet!
9. We both have good jobs that are paying the bills and keeping us in good hands.
10. After almost 7 years of marriage, we are still madly in love!!!!!!!!!!!

Isabelle turns 2!

How do you get good pictures of a 2 year old? I swear it's impossible!

Happy Birthday Isabelle!!!!

It's official, we have a 2 year old. She has filled our lives with so much joy I can't imagine life without her. She is so full of life, smiles, kisses, energy, love, and personality. We are so proud of her!



When we ask Izzy how old she is, she said "two" then gives her hand to us to make the "two" sign with her fingers. She's such a cutie!
We enjoyed some family over in our backyard for some cake & icecream!
Isabelle admiring her adorable birthday card from Grandma Norton!
Isabelle getting acquainted -kisses!-with her newest baby-one that comes with a "ponny" (potty), crib, and dress up clothes! The crib in inside a great new toy chest Izzy can roll around the entire house from Grandma Kunz!

Making her grand entrance to the party!

Happy Indepedence Day 2008!

We were in Jackson Hole over the 4th of July and watched fireworks there. Here's Isabelle in her little patriotic gear thanks to one of our good friends, Jenny VanOrden-thank you!



She's got a little bit of a farmer tan to go with all her smiles!

Jackson Hole 2008

For the first week of July, we headed north...again. This time to Jackson Hole, WY. We had a great time!! Isabelle slept really really well in the port-o-crib in the tent which was a big gamble, but I think we wore her out enough every day so she was super tired at night. We camped on the Boy Scout property. My older brother Dave is the Director at the camp this year so we had fun spending time with his family and his wife's family who also made a visit. We went to the Snow King Resort Alpine Slide, Bar-J Chuckwagon Dinner & Show, Jenny Lake Hike & Ferry ride, Granite Falls Hike, downtown Jackson Hole, Aaron got some fishing on the Snake with Dave, and we had an absolutely great time! Holly was a trooper to do all the hikes all the while being 9 months pregnant and we just heard word that she had her baby on July 9th-all the hikes paid off! Welcome baby cousin Samuel!

Isabelle enjoying one of her favorite summer-time foods, watermelon!
Isabelle and Daddy having a great time together.
The fam in Jackson Hole square.
Some of those antler are bigger than her!

A big smile on my face after we reache the Jenny Lake Hike "descent."
The hike was long for a toddler trapped in a hike-pack. Luckily the "bink & blank" kept her happy for most of it.
Blondies on the Jenny Lake Ferry Boat ride.
Cuddle time on the boat-Isabelle sat like this on Aaron for a while, it was so precious!
Beautiful Teton National Park!

Snow King Resort Alpine Slide
All this for 2 adults and one toddler-hardly any room for anything else!
Granite Falls Waterfall-the water was super high this year, so we couldn't get very close to it, it was way loud and raging!

Beautiful Jenny Lake-we did this on the 4th of July which was a perfect overcast day for a hike!
Again, raging waterfalls throughout our journey!